Engineering Technician Review

The first year of my apprenticeship is fully based in Swindon College. I attend lectures everyday, and they involve learning and gaining skills in different level 2 engineering principles such as electronics, hydraulics/pneumatic, hand fitting, turning, milling, programmable logic controllers (PLC), maintenance of mechanical assemblies. We are assessed by doing practical assessments which are used to improve our knowledge and skills in the units. We also complete a level 3 knowledge course one day a week which includes engineering drawings, health & safety, mechanical principles, mathematics, electronic principles and mechanical measurement and are assessed through assignments and tests.

I have learnt a lot of new skills since I started the apprenticeship, these being in the engineering principles such as (electronics, pneumatic/hydraulic, PLCs) as before I didn’t have any experience with these. I also have developed existing skills in the workshop such as milling, turning and hand fitting as I had previous basic experience doing these in my previous education.

I have enjoyed the programme so far. It has made me learn a lot of new skills and knowledge which I don’t think I would have if I was somewhere else. I have really enjoyed the practical work such as turning as well as the theory course such as engineering drawings, mechanical principles and mathematics. I also like the fact that there is always support for me if needed from colleagues, my employer and the college.

I really feel valued by the BMW Group. They have always provided support when needed. We always have a meeting with our apprentice manager every week to ensure we are doing well and offering advice to us.They invest in us by providing useful resources that make learning more convenient such as a work laptop, access to the workplace and so much more.

The induction organised by the company helps to understand the structure and components of the programme. It helps to understand how the course works, such as how you need to reference a unit for the level 2 course and complete assignments and tests for the level 3 course. If you don’t plan your time well and be disciplined it can be easy to get lost in the workload.

The training provider provides different support for the apprentices. Some of these being providing extra sessions for some subjects such as mathematics. We also get support from our tutor and lecturer when we have problems. In the college we are also provided with our own apprentice room where we stay in between lectures, and can stay behind or come early in the day to get work done.

My employer (BMW) provides a lot of support to us as apprentices. They have provided work laptops for us to use which helps us in our learning and apprenticeship. We also have meetings every week with our manager which helps us to get advice. We are also allowed to make use of the apprentice room in the plant (factory) after our college hours.

My salary/package meets my cost well. I had to move out of my parents place as I lived far from the apprenticeship and the salary has been able to cover for my accomodation well and also my travel costs when moving around and my social and daily costs such as food and leisure.

There are many opportunities outside work. In our first two weeks of employment, we as an apprentice group take a trip to skern lodge in Bideford. It helps us to build networks with other BMW Group apprentices as well as teamwork with my apprentice group. Towards the end of the year, there is a mountain challenge which all apprentices can attend.

Yes

BMW Group is a great company that offers many great opportunities for your career and the different possible qualifications you can get. For my apprenticeship (level 6), it is a great opportunity to be able to work on the job, learn from a training provider and getting a qualification (degree) at the end of my apprenticeship with the education paid for by the company as well as getting paid. It is a great opportunity to further your career and comes with a lot of benefits such as a great pension scheme, the car scheme and so much more.

For anyone that wants to apply to BMW Group, I would suggest getting work experience at one of the plants to see if it is something you'll enjoy doing and researching the history of the company and to be interested in engineering. I would also advice looking on our careers page for application hints and tips to give you the best chance of success. It is important to prepare well and show your confidence on the day. Good luck!